Extended CB Wellness: 6 Homemade DIY Facial Mask Recipes You Can Try At Home

We now live in a weird time. Staying away from your friends and not visiting your grandparents are now considered acts of love, and the term ‘masks’ is no longer immediately associated with the hundreds of beauty sheets you’ve lugged home from your recent trip to South Korea. So let’s back up to greener pastures, shall we?

As we all try our very best to stay productive and cooperative within our homes during this time of extended Circuit Breakers, let’s not forget the one very important aspect that is often lost amidst work and play—wellness. Wellness has a bigger role to play in keeping our morale high than we often give it credit for, and treating yourself to that one hour of relaxation can make all the difference for your mental health.

If you’ve been missing your weekly freshly made masks from LUSH now that all brick-and-mortar retail stores are closed, do not despair. With these 6 simple homemade facial mask recipes, you’ll be running your own mask treatments from home faster than you can say, “Circuit Breaker”. The best part? They’re mostly made from ingredients that you can probably find at home, so rest assured, you won’t have to give up S$50 and your firstborn for this.

1. The Honey Mask — For the one with a penchant for all things sweet

Naturally rich in antioxidants and lauded as an antibacterial, honey is often the key recipe in many beauty products. Creator of Clean Food Dirty City and author of the plant-based cookbook Good Clean Food Lily Kunin says that a honey-based mask is useful in fighting acne and is calming for the skin barrier.

What you’ll need: chamomile tea, honey, yeast

Here’s how:

1. Brew 2 bags of chamomile tea in a cup, and let it cool completely.

2. In a bowl, stir together 1 tablespoon of manuka or raw honey, and 1 teaspoon of nutritional yeast.

3. Add just enough chamomile tea to the bowl to create a thicker paste that’s not too worry, but still runny enough to spread across your skin.

4. Apply a thin layer to your face and let sit for 20 minutes.

5. Rinse off and pat dry. Moisturise after.

2. The Protein Mask — For those who aren’t afraid to put a raw egg on their faces

While some might insist that eggs and oatmeal should only be reserved for the breakfast table, I’d say that it’s a pity if we don’t tap into every possible benefit of these power-packed treats. If you’re up for it, raw egg yolks can actually be a really good skin-tightener, especially for those looking to beat the dreaded age-induced sag.

What you’ll need: raw egg, honey, olive oil, oatmeal

Here’s how:

1. Mix 1 egg yolk, 1 tablespoon of honey, and 1 tablespoon of olive oil with half a cup of oatmeal.

2. Stir well, then apply it to your face for 15 to 20 minutes.

3. Rinse with lukewarm water and then moisturise.

3. The Unlikely Mask — For those unafraid of a little mish-mash

Before you protest in disgust, hear me out. The most beautiful of concoctions are often derived from the most unexpected ingredients…said no one ever. Okay, I see your point. But this superpower mask should change your mind.

It’s suitable for anyone looking for that natural, often-talked-about ‘glow’, and those with sensitive skin due to the mild nature of the ingredients involved.

What you’ll need: cocoa powder, Aloe Vera gel, papaya

Here’s how:

1. Cut a quarter of papaya.

2. In a bowl, mix 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder, the aforementioned portion of papaya, and 1 squeeze of Aloe Vera gel.

3. Leave to set for 10 minutes before application to the face.

4. The Ginger Mask — For that sugar, spice, and everything nice

While ginger-haters like me might initially steer clear of this one, the benefits of this spice-centric mask gives more than enough reason to bite down hard and bear with the smell. Ginger has long been heavily utilised for curing sinuses and soothing digestive systems when ingested. Similarly, when applied to the skin, the powerful root is said to be a soothing treat for your dermis.

What you’ll need: ginger juice, rosewater, honey

Here’s how:

1. Juice half a ginger.

2. Mix 1 tablespoon of ginger juice, 2 tablespoons of rosewater, and half a tablespoon of honey in a bowl.

3. Mix well, then apply evenly to the face.

4. Leave on for 20 minutes and rinse.

5. The Coconut Chilli Mask — For turning up the heat

For those who are down to having a little heat on their faces, chilli masks have been hailed to be great for acne-management and a youthful glow, due to the fact that they promote an increased blood flow and circulation to one’s skin.

Known to possess healthy doses of vitamin C and vitamin E, chilli and peppers might be just the pick-me-up your skin needs. (Note: However, if you have sensitive skin, it is perhaps best to test the mixture on a small area of your skin first.)

What you’ll need: coconut oil, freshly squeezed lemon juice, honey, ground coffee, chilli flakes, cinnamon

Here’s how:

1. Juice a lemon.

2. In a bowl, mix in half a teaspoon of lemon juice, 2 tablespoons of coconut oil, 1 teaspoon of honey, 1 tablespoon of ground coffee, half a teaspoon of chilli flakes, and half a teaspoon of cinnamon, until smooth.

3. Apply evenly on the face. Rinse after.

6. The Yoghurt Mask — For that dash of calcium and hydration for days

In a simple two-ingredient recipe, we finally land on an exfoliating and hydrating mask, as compared to the previously soothing ones. With all the ingredients available inside your fridge, this one should be the most convenient of the lot.

What you’ll need: buttermilk, yoghurt

Here’s how:

1. Mix 1/2 cup of buttermilk in with two tablespoons of yogurt.

2. Leave it on the face for a few hours. Rinse after.

We’ve got a long way to go, boys and girls. Why not emerge from this Extended Circuit Breaker with slightly more radiant skin, at the very least?